Lacrosse drops two straight in Philadelphia

Redshirt-senior midfielder Sky Hyatt logged five goals and three assists during the two games played over the weekend. Photo by Raelyn Fines

Jaron Nutter,Contributing Writer

La Salle

VCU fell to La Salle 12-6 in Philadelphia March 31, after the Rams managed to cut an early deficit to 1 but could not find their way to victory.

The Black and Gold recovered from a 1-4 deficit midway through the first half to bring the score to 6-7. The Explorers went on a 5-0 run in the last 10 minutes to close the game.

Redshirt-senior midfielder Sky Hyatt tried to will the Rams to victory with a game-high nine shots, but only finished with two goals and one draw control. Two goals were netted by senior attacker Molly Barcikowski on three shot attempts. Junior midfielder Keriann McTavish and senior midfielder Blaire Langeler scored one goal apiece. Junior attacker Jessica Del Rossi recorded one assist.

Senior goalie Ria Peralta protected the net with 14 saves. Five Rams were carded in the game; four Rams received a yellow card and one a green card. Hyatt, McTavish, sophomore defender Caroline Glenn and junior midfielder Jenn Nonn all received yellow cards. Senior midfielder Clare Murphy received a green card.

The Explorers led the Rams in draw controls 15-5 and outshot VCU 32-23, including shots on goal 26-19. Explorers’ Allison Hunter scored four goals, one assist, and recorded four draw controls. La Salle’s Annina Iacobucci scored three goals on four shots and four turnovers. Maddie Dachowski finished with two goals on five shots and one turnover for La Salle.

The Rams turned the ball over 16 times and finished with 16 ground balls. VCU nearly doubled La Salle in fouls 35-18.

Saint Joseph’s

Lacrosse failed to respond to Saint Joseph’s rally, falling 17-13 in Philadelphia on March 29.

Saint Joseph’s took a 5-0 lead with about 20 minutes remaining in the first half. The Rams recovered from the five-goal deficit to tie the game 6-6 with a third of the first half to go.

The Hawks managed to lead again midway through the second half before the Rams took a 13-12 lead with a little more than 11 minutes remaining. But Saint Joseph’s rallied with five more goals in the final seven minutes to win the game.

A game-high five goals from McTavish and Hyatt’s three goals and three assists still resulted in defeat. Barcikowski pitched in with two goals and an assist.

Peralta anchored the Rams’ defense with 17 saves. Four Rams received cards in the game: Hyatt, junior defender Zoe Zebersky and sophomore defender Destiny Colon were yellow carded. McTavish received a green card.

Saint Joseph’s led VCU in draw controls 19-13 and outshot the Rams 46-28, including shots on goal 34-21. The Rams lost the turnover battle 18-22. VCU also committed 34 fouls in the game, seven more than Saint Joseph’s. Both the Rams and Hawks finished with 17 clears.